Women-Sense

Pregnancy is a time of joy, anticipation, and excitement. During pregnancy there are normal discomforts that a woman may have to experience. One condition that can develop during pregnancy is insomnia. According to the National Sleep Foundation’s 1998 Women and Sleep poll, 78 percent of women report more disturbed sleep during pregnancy than at any other time.

Though insomnia is not life threatening, it can be very distressing, and exhausting. This is especially true for first time pregnancies.

There are several causes of insomnia during pregnancy.

!. As the infant grows, added stress is placed on the woman’s body, pressure on her organs can make it very difficult for the expectant mother to get comfortable. Pressure on her bladder may cause the constant feeling of having to go to the bathroom.

A warm bath and/or relaxation exercise before going to bed can help make the woman more comfortable. Maintaining a comfortable temperature for sleeping, and keeping the bedroom dark and quiet will bring better results. Sound machines, which soothe can help to keep out disturbing and irritating noises.

2. It could be that lower back pain as a result of the added weight is making it difficult to get to sleep. A firm mattress will help relieve your back pain. If your mattress is too soft, try placing a board under the mattress to make it firmer. Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees, or place the pillow under your knees to cut the pressure in half.

3. Stress is a known cause of insomnia. Pregnancy brings added stress due to many new factors; hospital bills, work scheduling, loss of funds during pregnancy leave, delivery, health of the baby, health of the mother, responsibilities of parenthood, reaction of siblings are just some of the causes for concern.

Worrying will only compound the problem of insomnia. It is important for the expectant mother to take steps to reduce stress. Take time for yourself. You may have to slow down your pace. Set aside time for reading, thinking, and planning for your new role as a mother. Being informed and preparing for the arrival will reduce stress factors surrounding the pregnancy.

These suggestions for relief do not take the place of medical treatment. The health of the mother and infant are very important and no chances with the delicate condition of the mother should be taken or symptoms ignored. Do not risk that there may be a more serious health related condition. A woman should consult with her doctor if the insomnia persists.

by Doran Roggio

Are you trying to find the perfect gift to make someone feel special?  Have you given thought to giving a handmade gift? Why would a gift that has been handcrafted be so endearing to the receiver?

Think how you would you feel with a beautiful piece of art that is rare or even one of a kind? Picture a splendid handmade leather belt with a custom handcrafted jeweled buckle. What a conversation piece to have a rare glass or wood art handicraft from another part of the world. Can you see how the uniqueness alone makes a handmade gift a great choice for the ones you care about?

Express Your Feelings With A Unique Handmade Gift

Custom handmade gifts can often be made to your liking. Artists may sell a handmade gift that is one of a kind, at the very least exceptionally rare. Often the handmade gift will come with a certificate of authenticity which tells the artist’s history and information about the materials used in the crafting of the work of art.

A handmade gift reveals that you put some thought into your gift selection; for this reason alone the gift will be more appreciated. Isn’t that what gift giving is all about, finding just the right gift for the special individuals. When choosing a gift aren’t you wanting to convey a deep emotion?

It many just be that you are saying ‘thank you’ for a kind act. Or perhaps you are giving the love of your life a gift that conveys the depth of your emotion. And what of making Mom know she’s the best Mother in the world. Whatever the reason, a handmade gift can express the emotion so capably.

There are beautiful handcrafted gifts in such abundance that it is impossible not to find that perfect unique gift for your family and friends.

Custom Handmade Jewelry

Talented artists design and assemble a wide variety of jewelry and accessories, such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, brooches, and belt buckles in a marvelous array of sizes, shapes, colors and textures. Imagine the complements one might receive donning an unusual piece of custom handmade jewelry.

The material used in the making of handcrafted jewelry can include amber, amethyst, aquamarine, coral, garnet, turquoise, mother of pearl, and other semiprecious stones. Unlike mass produced jewelry which are generally crafted in gold, silver, and platinum, custom handmade jewelry can also include bronze, copper, pewter and other metals. Handcrafted jewelry may even be crafted with wood, leather and even plastics.

Hand Tooled Full Grain Leather Gifts

A handmade gift out of leather is always a good choice. The handtooled leather belt is a dying tradition and a handtooled belt is truly a rare gift. With a handtooled leather gift meticulous attention is given to detail and every design is a little different. Other handmade leather items include watchbands, wristbands, hair accessories, wallets, money clips and purses available in a wide variety of styles, designs, and widths and many of these items can be personalized with a name or initials.

Custom Handmade Handwoven Baskets

Handmade baskets are generally woven with the finest quality natural rattan reed. Baskets will compliment a home and office decor. Unlike ordinary off-the-shelf baskets, handmade baskets can often be designed exclusively by you, allowing you to choose the style, dimensions, reed and stain colors. Baskets make a great gift because they are functional in the home as well as a decor.

Choose From A Variety Of Handmade Gifts

Handmade gifts have seen an increase in popularity in recent years. Besides the handmade gifts discussed one can choose from handicrafts such as wood art, bottle art, paintings, dried flowers, bead work, pottery, and the list continues.

Pieces from other cultures make a great choice for gifts that are appreciated. You could give a handmade gift from a different country on every occasion to that special someone and help them start an artistic collection of diverse cultures.

Where to Purchase Handmade Gifts

It used to require a great deal of time and effort to find a shop with a diverse selection of unique handmade gifts. With the popularity of the Internet one can now obtain a limitless variety of custom handmade items from around the globe.

Hand crafted gifts range from inexpensive to very costly generally depending on the materials used, the originality and intricacies of the item and the location where the piece was created. The advantage of purchasing these items online is that you minimize the cost of overhead and get more value for your dollar.

In conclusion, handicrafts make wonderful gifts because of their uniqueness, beauty and cultural individuality. The best place for variety and value is to purchase these items online. If you are looking for the perfect gift that conveys your affection try giving a unique handmade gift. It is bound to bring appreciation from the receiver.

By Doran Roggio

The modern bath is more than a place to bathe and groom. Bathrooms have become a retreat from the stresses of the mundane. For many, the bath is the only place one can enjoy a few hours of private time. Baths are now designed with the comforts and therapeutic benefits of a spa.

Luxuriating in the bubble bath with the sensual scent and glow of aromatherapy candles is the new indulgent pastime. Imagine stepping out of the bath onto a soothing, warm tile floor, then reaching up and grabbing a cozy, heated towel from its rack.

The latest trend in redesigning the bath is creating an environment for both physical and spiritual rejuvenation. Whirlpools, steam showers, towel warmers, warming floors, steam-free mirrors, chromatherapy, bathroom entertainment centers and bath fireplaces are just some of the innovative gadgets that have made the modern bath into a home spa where one can relax the body and enliven the spirit.

When redesigning the bath into a home spa, decisions can be as simple as choosing new colors and as complex as deciding to install an electric warming floor. There is a wide array of modern gadgets for the bath, many of which are designed to fill the new demand for a spa like atmosphere.

Ultra-Luxurious Modern Gadgets For Today’s Bathrooms

Steam Shower
For centuries steam baths have been used to promote good health.. Now one can enjoy a sumptuous steam bath, a full-dimensional back massage and experience a multi-head shower, all from the same unit, not much larger than a conventional showerhead. The Steam Shower unit ranges in style from contemporary to elegant. Units can even be equipped with a radio, phone, remote control, and connections for a CD player.

Warming Floor
Remember that chilling feeling stepping out of the bath onto a cold floor. Today’s solution is the Electric Warming Floor, which not only will warm the cold tile floor but also fills the entire bathroom with warmth. Imagine never having to experience stepping barefoot on a cold tile floor again. The Electric Warming Floor is energy efficient, relatively easy to install and entirely safe.

Steam-Free Mirror
One can now purchase electric bathroom mirror defoggers. A defogger is set to come on with the bathroom light switch. The system then produces a warming action that prevents steam from forming on the mirror. No longer does one have to wipe or blow-dry the mirror in order to see their image.

Bathtubs and Whirlpools
Imagine climbing into a bathtub that is padded and cushioned to be ultra soft and comfortable. And the best part, the more hot water fills the bath the softer it becomes.

How about a cozy bath for two for those romantic moments? The bathtub for two does have its drawbacks, however, in that it will use a great deal of water.

Whirlpools baths come in a great array of sizes and shapes to add to your home spa environment. Whirlpools can be gotten with air jets or water jets each offering different advantages.
So indulgent has the whirlpool bath become it can now be equipped with a home entertainment unit. The La Scala whirlpool is complete with a home theater surround and entertainment system right in the your own bath. Enjoy a soothing massage while enjoying the highest quality motion picture entertainment. Added enhances, such as a floating remote control, underwater lighting, and ten fully adjustable jets affords the ultimate in soothing relaxation.

Multiple Showerheads
Instead of the conventional showerhead, one can now install a series of whirlpool jets and arrange them vertically in a shower-like enclosure. Multiple showerheads can be used separately or all at the same time. Banish stress with an invigorating hydrotherapy massage.

Chrometherapy.
Chrometherapy, a branch of holistic healing, uses the seven colors of the rainbow to promote balance and healing in the mind and body.

To complete a regenerating home spa atmosphere, you can now buy chrometherapy   baths, shower systems, and sinks with chrometherapy options. These systems provide a spectrum of color with the touch of a button for an enhanced bathing experience.

Without a doubt there is a great range of options now available to transform the ordinary bathroom into a luxurious, and therapeutic retreat. There will be many challenging decisions to make. Lighting, colors, fixtures, conveniences, and costs, are some of the factors you will need to ponder. Well thought out planning will enable you to design a beautiful, and functional home spa environment that will provide the ultimate luxuriation.

The 21st century bathroom has become a retreat from the stresses of the mundane. Often it is the only place where one can spend a few hours of private time. The latest trend in designing the bath is in creating an environment for both physical and spiritual rejuvenation. There is a wide array of ultra-luxurious gadgets for the bath, many of which are designed to fill the new demand for a spa like atmosphere.
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I am shedding light on the sustained periods of personal “growth” we as women get thrown into like gladiators left to fend for themselves with no advanced notice or appropriate armor or weaponry. I am talking about the week you were let go from work, found out your man was getting cozy with the bartender at your favorite watering hole (how dare he make me switch bars), your credit card interest rate just about doubled and your pms seemed to have kicked in about two weeks two early. WARNING: Do not down all the spirits in your liquor cabinet, much less ingest all items in your pantry with a sugar content over 65% (although it may be tempting).

Breathe, relax and focus for a moment. When negativity seems to abound and you feel like you could sing the blues with the rest of them, take a step back. Upon finding myself alone in a foreign country (Sweden), and having just been broken up with by the man of my dreams (yes, my own personal version of my Brad Pitt), I had a lot of time to sit around and sulk. It was a VERY small town in Sweden and I had more than a few hours to kill. Yikes! What’s a girl to do?

The first thought that comes to mind- I need to cry, I want to cry, why am I not crying? I do not know anyone here, I need to get back to the US, and IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING? Well, I chalk it up to the strength of a woman combined with enough post-relationship analysis I am a self-proclaimed expert at this point. The following method got me through one of my most challenging moments, and I hope it helps my fellow lady friends all over, heaven forbid they encounter a similar situation. Whether your career is stagnant after you have given beyond your best, you have lost someone dear to your heart (deceased or living) or a chain of unfortunate events have presented themselves to your life all at once, fear not. It may take some time and practice but the following combination will surely ease your burden and put the whole quandary into perspective.

Contact a friend or family member as soon as you feel you are at your emotional capacity.
This can be a best friend, parent, sibling or partner. Chances are, someone close to you has your best intentions at heart and wants what is best for you. Plus they can step outside the situation and recommend less emotional measures even if you want to pick up and move to a remote island to teach scuba diving for the next year.

Ensure you are in a safe environment.
You need to go to a place where your stress is reduced not heightened. This allows both your mind and body to breathe a little bit so your focus becomes more clear. This does not mean taking a double margarita as your companion on a solo drive “so you can relax” while listening to sad songs. Put your favorite pjs on, light some candles and listen to a relaxing playlist from your iTunes library. If you prefer not to be alone go to a friends house (make sure it is a positive person who always knows how to make you smile).

Grab a piece of paper and jot down at least ten things you are thankful for.
Although it may seem like the world has come crashing down there are plenty of reasons to be thankful. Perhaps you lost your job. Now you have the world at your fingertips! Go pursue what you have always wanted to do even if it involves a totally different career path. If you are paralyzed by the loss of your one and only ( I can identify, as I wondered why this happened to me in southern Sweden on a cold, rainy day on what was supposed to be my romantic vacation), focus on all your wonderful traits and realize that for every door that closes, hundreds more open. Remember the saying there are plenty of fish in the sea? Well, one walk through the Copenhagen airport and I realized there are plenty of male-fishies just waiting to be fished by a confident lady!

Write down your goals.
This may seem like a redundant exercise but jotting down your aspiration puts you one step closer to having the life you have dreamed about. Dream big as you like, but also keep the list within reason. You want to set goals you can attain and feel proud of. Maybe you want to speak another language or take that weekend trip with your best friend. Go for it! Dedicate time to nourish your needs and wants, and I promise you will not be disappointed.

Get thee to the bookstore.
Immediately go to the section that inspires you. Grab your favorite cup of joe and dive into the fanciful world of books. One of my best friends swears by the women’s self-help section every time she hits a major bump in the road. Topics include women that have achieved the impossible, lived life to the fullest and challenged the status quo. You cannot tell me it is not fun to identify with women who rose above trials and tribulations and smile all the while.

Exercise.
Nothing can replace exercise when it comes to physical and mental health. Aside from boosting endorphins, increasing serotonin, aiding digestion and other physical bonuses (such as slipping back into your skinny jeans), it just plain makes you feel like the hot goddess you are! My best friend is a die-hard marathon runner and swears by it. She used to leave voicemails forcing me to get out of bed and meet her at our apartment gym to chat while jogging on the treadmill. At the time I hated it and repeatedly explained that I enjoy sports and sprinting, NOT distance running. Five years later I run weekly and have completed several half marathons that make me feel like Wonder Woman. So whether you need to find your center of balance doing downward dog or want to take your frustrations out on the punching bag in your kickboxing class, make a habit out of sweating. I promise it will empower your body and spirit even on the days you cannot find your rose colored glasses.

In sum, no matter what lemons life has thrown your way be sure to follow this simple set of go-to’s when you are down in the dumps. Throughout history, women have not only endured and survived but blossomed and thrived. Every day you wake up is a new day and the world is your oyster. Throw open the curtains, take your glass half full and make yourself proud!

Courtney M Smith
http://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneymsmith
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Courtney_Marie_Smith

By Leslie C Smith

You have spent the last 5 years working 60 hours a week.  You have spent most of your other waking hours taking car of your kids but, now their schedules are too busy to fit you in.  The sexy little red dress you bought 4 years ago, just doesn’t look or fit the same.  And the new intern at your office just called you madame.  You are a woman over forty and feeling old.  Here are three principles to up your youth quotient:

1.  Practice Self-fullness

Simply put, do more things that make you feel full and satisfied.  Many women are born nurturers.  We spend the majority of our time doing things for others, whether it be our children, spouses, or employers.   Our time is spent making other people feel happier, more secure, and appreciated.  While giving to others is virtuous, when something is missing from your life that makes you feel whole, the end result is that you feel resentful, empty and old.  Take time in the second half of your life to find out what makes you feel full and satisfied.  Explore new hobbies, interests, and careers.  Stop living your life on empty and watch yourself feel younger instantly.

2.  Get an Attitude Adjustment

All too often women over forty get the “over the hill” attitude.  They obsess because they can’t get into those jeans that were so cute when they were 30, or they start dressing like their mothers.  Others may feel they cannot make any useful contributions at work because their ideas are “old fashioned” or just feel that life is practically over for them.  The reality is you are getting older but, your thinking doesn’t have to make you appear like you are dead and buried.  While those jeans may not fit the body you have now, new ones may make you look just as good.  Being older doesn’t mean you have to wear dresses down to your ankles.  A knee length dress can make you look and feel sexy and youthful.  And old ideas can work just as well to solve new and modern problems.  Consider the saying, ” You are only as old as you feel”.

3.  Maintain good nutrition and exercise

Eating well and exercising on a regular basis is essential to turning back the clock.  Proper nutrition helps maintain bone density, and keeps hair and skin looking their best.  Exercise not only keeps the pounds off but, improves muscle tone and increases your energy level, making you look even younger.

Leslie Smith is a image strategist and a self proclaimed fashionista. Her personal motto is “It’s not how you grow old but, how you live young!!”

By Bridget Allen

Autumn is a great time of the year when your summer wardrobe must be swapped out for warmer fashions. The crisp feel of the air is the perfect sign that it is time to break out your cozy sweaters and warm pants. Many people feel fall is simply the time between super summer fashions and steamy winter wear, but it is much, much more! Think of fall as its own season and be sure to choose a wardrobe that best suits the cool air, falling leaves, and shorter nights. The entire palate of fall colors is superb, from oranges and rusts to golds, browns, greens, and burgundies. These fantastic tones are sure to fit any skin tone, so start planning your fall wardrobe today!

If you find your budget is far shorter than your clothing needs, look to create a fall wardrobe from your preexisting summer and winter wear. Using the clothing that is already in your closet can produce a fantastic fall wardrobe that only requires a few key pieces. Depending on the climate in your neck of the woods also depends on your needs for a fall wardrobe. If you enjoy sunshine and warm weather for fall, then cords, jackets, and sweaters are not a reasonable choice. However, if your falls turn wet and cool quickly, start planning out your fall wardrobe immediately so that you have something suitable to wear when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

One necessary item for your fall fashion is a super jacket. Jackets and blazers are all the rage this season, as is the whole layering effect. Choose a jacket or blazer made from a traditional fall material in a color that is suitable to the season and the rest of the items in your collection. One great example is a luxurious brown corduroy blazer that will work at the office or on the town. Also, consider investing in a skinny scarf, another popular it item this season. The scarf is more of a burst of color and pattern instead of a muffler, but it may become useful when the wind picks up!

Another fall must have item is a fantastic pair of boots. Cowboy boots and other western inspired footwear is especially popular, so choose a pair to wear with your favorite jeans or that great skirt. Also, don’t forget to find a perfect fall bag! Slouch bags are back again this season, so check out one for your wardrobe.

Bridget Allen has worked for many years in the fashion industry, at a senior level, and is able to educate you about what you absolutely need to know about fashion.